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June 10, 2016 JTTM Weekly No. 218

Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekend Summary

June 10, 2016
JTTM Weekly No. 218

The following are some of this week's reports from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Project, which translates and analyzes content from sources monitored around the clock, among them the most important jihadi websites and blogs. (To view these reports in full, you must be a paying member of the JTTM; for membership information, send an email to jttmsubs@memri.org with "Membership" in the subject line.)

Note to media and government: For a full copy of these reports, send an email with the title of the report in the subject line to media@memri.org. Please include your name, title, and organization in your email.

 

EXCLUSIVE: In Essay, ISIS Supporter Legitimizes Killing Of Women And Children

The question of the legitimacy of killing noncombatants among non-Muslims, especially women, children, and the elderly, comes up often in the discourse of Islamist circles, particularly following large-scale and high-profile attacks in major cities. In the wake of such attacks, Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS) have been condemned by Muslim religious leaders and institutions for their indiscriminate targeting of civilians and noncombatants, which the latter say runs counter to Islamic law. Senior ISIS leader Abu Muhammad Al-'Adnani's recent call to the group's loyalists in the West to carry out attacks in their countries has again raised this issue among ISIS supporters and detractors in the Islamist camp.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Al-Qaeda In The Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) Emir Asim Umar: 'Mujahideen Across The World Have This Manhaj [Target], That Is, America Is Their First Priority'

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has released an audio speech in which its emir, Maulana Asim Umar, addresses jihadi fighters. The date of the recording is unknown but Asim Umar warns that America is a first priority target of Al-Qaeda fighters, as it is necessary to harm the morale of the enemy.

 

EXCLUSIVE: American ISIS Supporters Active On Facebook

Western ISIS supporters often form tightly knit cliques on Facebook, exchanging ideas, materials, and support. Usually, members of such close communities are prudent and take security precautions, trying not to reveal their exact locations. However, many do indicate their nationality by taking names such as "Amreeki" for "American" or "Britani" for "British."

 

EXCLUSIVE: Chechen ISIS Member Tears Up Passport, Posts Video On Instagram

Click here to view this clip on MEMRI TV

 

EXCLUSIVE: In New Video, German Salafi Preacher Pierre Vogel Responds To ISIS Threats And Criticizes Its Understanding Of Jihad And Attacks In The West

A video published June 1, 2016, features a speech by German Salafi preacher Pierre Vogel criticizing ISIS's understanding of Jihad, as well as their call for assassinating indiscriminate killing of civilians living in the West. The speech, which is approximately ten minutes long, is titled "ISIS's Understanding of Jihad" and was published on Vogel's Facebook page and on YouTube in response to recent ISIS publications declaring Vogel to be an apostate and stating that he was a legitimate target for assassination.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Jabhat Al-Nusra Senior Cleric Calls On Muslims In Syria To Wage All-Out War Against 'Alawis, Cites Clerics Who Ruled That Syria Must Be Cleansed Of Them

On June 3, 2016, the Al-Basira media company, which is associated with Jabhat Al-Nusra (JN), published a 10-minute video featuring the organization's senior cleric, Dr. Sami Al-'Uraidi. The video is part of JN's "Month of Conquests" promotional campaign, which covers the organization's da'wa activities during Ramadan.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Indian In Northern Syria Documents Life In Rebel-Held Territories On Facebook, Twitter, And Telegram

 

An Indian in northern Syria who appears to be a Jabhat Al-Nusra and Jaysh Al-Fath sympathizer shares photos and videos from Aleppo and Idlib, along with updates, on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Jihadi Writer To ISIS: Establish Media Institutes To Improve Propaganda Machine

 

On June 6, 2016, an article posted on Shumoukh Al-Islam, the leading online jihadi forum affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) suggested that the group establish media institutes offering classes in journalism, communication skills, production, design, and translation, as well as English, to improve the group's propaganda machine.

 

U.S.-Born Media Activist Interviews British Jihadi In Syria

 

On May 31, 2016, a U.S.-born media activist in Syria shared an installment in the series of video news reports called "Face the Truth," which is a production of On The Ground News. In this video, he interviews a British fighter, who has fought primarily in Syria with Jabhat Al-Nusra.

 

ISIS Mourns Death Of Top Al-Barakah Province Media Official Who Rejoined Group After Moving To Kyrgyzstan With Family

 

On June 7, 2016, the Islamic State (ISIS) published an article in its weekly newspaper Al-Naba' mourning the death of Khaled Ismael aka Abu Gulaibib Al-Qamishly, a top media official in the Al-Barakah province and a former member of Pro-ISIS jihadi forums who died in an airstrike. The article, which was published in issue 34 of the newspaper, also commended the sacrifices and bravery of Abu Gulaibib, who rejoined the group after leaving for Kyrgyzstan with his family.

 

ISIS Supporters Continue To Use Hashtag Describing Al-Qaeda As 'Jews Of Jihad'

 

Supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS) on Twitter have continued to use the hashtag "the Jews Of Jihad," a derogatory term used to describe Al-Qaeda, which is based on their belief that the rival group has the same negative characteristics as the Jews.

 

On Telegram, Pro-ISIS Hacking Groups Post 'Kill List' Featuring U.S., Australian, Canadian Citizens

 

On June 7, 2016, the pro-ISIS hacking groups Caliphate Cyber Army and its affiliates United Cyber Caliphate and Ghosts Caliphate posted a list of hundreds of names of citizens of the U.S., Australia, and Canada. Accompanying the list was a graphic image that read "Caliphate 'Ghosts' Caliphate Cyber Army/ All World Can't Stop Islamic State/ You are gathered against us./ 'We will kill you all (together).'"

 

Pro-ISIS Hacking Group Releases List And Satellite Images Of U.S. Military Bases

 

On June 7, 2016, the pro-ISIS hacking groups Caliphate Cyber Army and its affiliates United Cyber Caliphate and Ghosts Caliphate posted a list of U.S. air force bases along with several satellite images on their Telegram channels.

 

ISIS Releases Infographic Highlighting Its Military Successes Against Russian Forces

 

The 34th issue of Islamic State's news weekly Al-Naba, published on June 7, 2016, features an infographic detailing "the most prominent operations of the Islamic State against the Russian Crusade" i.e., alleged military successes against Russian forces in Dagestan and in Syria.

 

ISIS Destroys Temple Of Nabu In Mosul, Iraq; Vows To Blow Up Egypt's Pyramids

 

On June 6, 2016, the media office of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Ninawa, Iraq, released a video showing the destruction of the Temple of Nabu in the city of Mosul in Northern Iraq.

JTTM subscribers click here to view this clip on MEMRI TV

 

ISIS Claims Responsibility For Assassination Of Afghan Lawmaker Sher Wali Wardak

 

The Islamic State (ISIS) in Khorasan has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the assassination of Afghan lawmaker Sher Wali Wardak in Kabul on Sunday evening.

 

Report: UNIFIL Warns Its Personnel To Avoid Crowded Areas, Fearing Attacks

 

According to the Lebanese news website almustaqbal.com, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a warning to its personnel, urging caution and advising them to stay away from government agencies and crowded areas for fear of possible terrorist attacks.  

 

140 Fighters Pledge Loyalty To ISIS In Manbij, Syria

On June 4, 2016, Al-A'maq, the official news agency of the Islamic State (ISIS), released a two-minute video in which 140 young men swear loyalty to ISIS in the city of Manbij near Aleppo in Syria.

 

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